One of the regulars at the social club where Mum and Younger Sis go on Saturday nights was an elderly lady who my sis saw as a surrogate Grandma. She had c****r and was failing. She suddenly passed away last week, just 8 days before her 85th b-day.

Funeral is on Monday.Grasshopper

Edited to add: We WERE going elsewhere on Saturday, but because of sad news, Sis & I will be going to Sis's (and mine), favourite tearoom instead.Those scones -yummmmmmmm

Grasshopper

Spring ventures forth to plant the grainAnd Summer dries the strawAutumn gathers in the harvestAnd Winter shuts the door

We had a phone call from Paris last evening to say that yet another of our French friends died from cancer earlier in the day. Unfortunately every single one, now 5 in total, had been a smoker. Doesn't make it any better though does it? Another telented lady who was a make-up artist for films etc.

Out of interest, what's the situation these days with smoking in France? Is it more widespread than in the UK these days?

I can;t truthfully say Sea - haven't been in mainland UK for such a long time. Public smoking has been well and truly stamped out in France so eating and drinking in public places is so much nicer than in the old days. I think individual smoking has also fallen but is still far too high. The restaurant where we were today bans it form all areas but there are usually some folk standing in the middle of the square having a quick puff.

Another result is that the streets outside shops in town have to be swept twice a day because of people smoking outside. On the whole thoug, much better.

I just learned that long time BBC and Wildfood member denada has died in hospital in Australia, with her husband at her sideWe know from her comments about adapting her cooking that she had a chronic, debilitating, disease, but I don't know the cause. RIP denada

I'm so sorry to hear that ... denada was one of the first to make me welcome on the BBC forum and again here ... she always gave sound advice with good humour and a ready 'online smile'. I shall miss her - my thoughts are with her husband and those who loved and cared for her.

A candle please for my sister & I's friend who was we thought was successfully fighting breast cancer. They've caught the cancer in her breast with chemo and surgery but sadly it seems to have spread to her collar bone and spine so the longterm outlook isn't good.

Lighting a candle for one of my dearest, bestest, oldest friends who has been diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. Life is very unfair sometimes- she and her husband moved only a year ago to a remote part of Scotland to become crofters and now she has this to contend with. On the plus side, she'll start chemo in a week or two and whilst there's no guarantee of a permanent cure (though it's possible) there is at least a chance of managing it for a fair old time to come. Keeping everything crossed for her.

I am just so sad to have to give thoughts and hopes to those who are suffering and trying so hard to get better,I do send these thoughts to Sea and LTCs of course,

It our age it sometimes seems like there is nothing but gloomy news and I'm not sure how much I can take at the moment. We had a lethe one who has been losttter from our friend from Paris today thnaking us for out=r card and message. Card????? How on earth can that really help when a brilliant 21 year old with life in front of her has lost her mum and her equally talented father can't bear to come back here when their house is just full of the one who has been lost. Beautiful ,creative and lovely. Another I'll miss so much,

I just heard that my mother's lovely elderly neighbour has died. I've not been round to see her this year because so preoccupied with my mother. I've known Aunty Dot, as I've always called her, since I was four. She was 94. I sent her a postcard from Italy, and said I would try to pop round soon, but it hasn't arrived yet...

not sure where best to put this, and I don't want anyone to feel obligated in any way, but I have signed up for the Alzheimer's Society Memory walk on the evening of the 14th October in the Olympic Park

I am walking in memory of my mother, who died last year as some of you may remember, and her mother too

Herb - Can I have a candle, please, for a cousin of mine? She has Parkinson's and has suddenly lost weight rapidly. They are carrying out loads of tests on Monday. Mum is naturally worried, as she fostered her for years.She's a lovely person too.Grasshopper

Spring ventures forth to plant the grainAnd Summer dries the strawAutumn gathers in the harvestAnd Winter shuts the door